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Summary IAF says more African countries are launching satellites and taking advantage of space technology.
The International Astronautical Federation (IAF) opened its annual conference, held for the first time in Africa, with a call for the continent to use space technology to benefit its people.It has always been an objective of the IAF to disseminate space knowledge to many new countries globally. It will continue to spread the notion space is not just the playground for wealthy countries, said IAF president Berndt Feuerbacher. It brings value and benefits to the citizens of all places of the world.Feuerbacher highlighted last months milestone in Nigerias space programme with the launch of two satellites Nigeriasat 2 and Nigeriasat X, used for forestry, mapping, disaster monitoring and security applications.South Africa in 2009 launched an environmental observation satellite called SumbandilaSat, and last year formed its own space agency. Algeria, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco and Tunisia all have their own space initiatives, he said.Exciting times are emerging for space in Africa, he told delegates when opening the congress.I am glad to see more and more African countries embracing the benefits space technology brings to their citizens.
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